Trackwork machines



BERED W. CREEDLE M65-Mm 11H-7555- June 26, 1962 F. w. CREEDLE 3,040,677

' TRACKWORK MACHINES Filed May 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'l Im Md 1n Jime 26, 1962 F. w. CREEDLE TRAcKwoRK MMX-IINESl 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1959 INVENTOR. FRED W CREEDLE BY MMM EPEE/5T June 26, 1962 F. w. CREE-DLE 3,040,677

TRAcKwoRK MACHINES Filed May 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BYFRED W. CREEDLE. MMM/fm H HL/E- United States Fatent 3,040,677 TRACKWORK MACHINES Fred W. Creedie, Park Ridge, Ill., assigner to American This invention relates to trackwork machines of the kind which are normally manually propelled along a railway, and particularly to trackworking machines including self-contained pneumatic propelling apparatus. More specically, this invention relates to a propelling device for initiating movement of a trackwork machine or other vehicle along a railway.

A number of diierent relatively small trackwork inachnes are currently being utilized for automatically completing various operations that are entailed in laying new track or in maintaining existing railways. One such machine is disclosed in copending applications Serial No. 750,988, filed July 25, 1958, which relates to a spike setter, and another is described and claimed in application 4Serial No. 783,938, tiled December 30, 1958, now abandoned, which relates to a rail anchor applicator. Both of these applications are assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Initially, such machines were designed to be manually propelled along a railway from one operating position to the next. The iields of applications of these machines have been steadily increasing. On the other hand, the weight of the machines is relatively great, in some instances. This is particularly true when the machine includes a self-contained air supply for pneumatically actuated equipment, such as the air hammers utilized in the rail anchor applicator and the spike setter of the aforementioned copending applications. In such cases the vehicle may include an engine driven air compressor and a storage tank, which adds considerable weight to the machines. While the machine generally is easily moved manually once movement has been initiated, it may be exceedingly difticult to initiate movement of the vehicle.,

manually, from a stopped position.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to overcome the initial inertia of a trackwork machine and to start the machine moving along a railway, using a propelling device of simple and economical construction, preferably pneumatically actuated.

Another object of the invention is to push or jog the carriage of a trackwork machine to start the machine moving along a railway by means of a semi-automatic propelling-device which affords traction by gripping one rail of the railway but which releases the rail as soon as movement isV initiated so that the propelling device does not interfere with subsequent manual movement of the machine along the railway.

It is an object of this invention to incorporate a pneumatically actuated propelling device ina trackwork rnachine for initiating movement of the trackwork machine along a railway subsequent to the completion of a trackwork operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a pneumatically actuated propelling device of simple construction for railway vehicles that engages both sides of a railhead to balance the gripping forces and provide a positive gripping action.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying 'drawings which, by way of illustration, show a lpreferred embodiment of the ,presenttinvention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the 1oest mode contemplated for applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be .used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing'from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. '1 isa perspective view of a trackwork machine, in this instance a spike setter, including an attached propelling device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation ofthe trackwork machine and propelling device shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan View ofthe propelling device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the propelling device shown in F1o. 3; and Y FIG. 5'is an end elevation of the propelling device shown in FIG. 3.

In FIGS. l and 2 there is shown a traclrwork machine 11 equipped to set spikes. The machine includes a basic frame or carriage 12 on which is mounted an engine supporting frame 13. 'A combined air-cooled internal comvbustion engine and air compressor unit 14 is mounted on the frame 13. Also mounted on the frame 13 is a housing 15 which contains a fan for supplying cooling air to the engine compressor unit 14. A muiiier 16 is disposed above the fan 'housing 15.L An engine fuel tank 17 is also mounted on the carriage '12, .as is an air tank 18. A curved metal sheet 19 is supported over the engine and compressor assembly to provide protection from inclement weather.

A pair of double iianged wheels 21 are mounted on the carriage 12 substantially along the longitudinal center line of the frame so thatthe greater part of the weight of the machine 11 is transmitted to a railhead 22 through the wheels'21. A pair of Outrigger arms 23 extend from the carriage 12 across the rail bed to the opposite railhead 25. A pair of auxiliary wheels 24 are attached to the extremities ofthe Outrigger arms 23 and roll along the railhead 25. The outriggers 23 can be readily detached from the carriage 12 and repositioned on the carriage to place a pair oi pneumatic tired wheels 26, which are illustrated as being carried within upwardly extending box sections 27 on the outriggers 23, downwardly for engaging the ground and supporting the trackwork vehicle. In such instances the spike setter 11 can be llifted from the railhead 22 and movedover land by means of the tires 26. Thus, the vehicle 11 is mobile both along a railway and off a railway.

The spike setting -machine 11 includes a pair of spike positioners 28 extending horizontally below opposite sides of the railhead 22 which are attached to the frame 12 by depending arms 29. The spike positioners 28 serve to engage and erect spikes 31 which have been manually placed within the spike receiving apertures in the tie-plates 32 along a portion of the railway preceding the machine 11. Once the pre-positioned and partially erected spikes 31 have been fully erected by the positioners 28, a pneumatically powered impacting device 33 is actuated to drive an impacting head down on the head of the spike 31 to set the spike a short distance in the'tie 34. Usually, there are two such impacting devices, providing for the simultaneous setting of two spikes on opposite sides.

Attached also to the trarne 12 is a pusher bar 3S for manually propelling the machine 11 along the railway; an operators seat 36 may also be incorporated in the machine. The component parts and the operation of the spike setter 11 vareset out in greater detail and described more fully in the Vpending application "750,988, led July 25, 1958, noted above.

Briefly, the operation of thespike setter is as' follows:

The operator rolls the machine 11 along the rails 22 and 25, using the bar 35, so that a pre-positioned spike 31 is engaged by the spike positioner 28 and is vthereby erected to the position shown in FIG. 1. At this time the operator actuates a control valve which directlyapplies the brakes to halt the spike setter and, in sequence, erects engine Vmounting frame 13, see FIG. 1.

y of the'impact head the vehicle is ready to be advanced along the railway to repeat this cycle of operation with respect to the next spike 31. Y

As discussed hereinabove, the considerable weight of the engine and air compressor unit 14 and the tank 18, in combination with the other elements mounted ontthe vehicle frame 12, may make it quite difficult Yfor one man to start the vehicle 11 rolling from a stopped position. In accordance with this invention, a pneumatically actuated propelling device designated generally by the reference numeral 41'is provided to initiate movement of the vehicle 11 and overcome the inertia of the machine.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 to v5, the propelling device 41 comprises a frame including a pair of rods '42 serving as side members and two plates 43 and 44 which serve as end membersrfor the frame. The end plates 43 and 44 are each in theV shape of an inverted U-shaped block. Thus, the plate 43 comprises an upper hori- -zontally extending section 43H and a pair of downwardly extending legs 43L at the extremities of the section 43H. The rods 42 are passed through apertures formed in the downwardly projecting portions of the end plates and are rigidly attached thereto by locking nuts such as the nuts 4S and 46. As seen more clearly in FIG. 5, the inverted U-shaped configuration of the end plates provides recesses within the end plates which permit the entire frame assembly Ato be slipped over the railhead 22 so that the rods 42 extend in adjacent and parallel relation to the sides 22S of the -railhead A pair of cylindrical tubes 47 encircle portions of the rods 42 and are slidable on the rods. A first rectangular shaped plate 48 extends across the frame and is welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the top surfaces of the lcylindrical tubes 47. A pair of arcuate slots V49 are vformed in diagonally opposite corner portions of the rectangular plate 48 and are equidistant from the central portion f the plate. Again with particular reference to FIG. 5, it is seen that the lower surface 48L may Vrest on and be slidable along the upper surface 22U of the lrailliead 22. y Y

A second rectangular shaped plate 50 having substantially the same dimensions as the lower plate 4S is disposed above the plate 48'sro that the lower face of the plate 50 abuts the upper face of the plate 48. The upper 'plate 50 is rotatably supported upon the plate 48. Thus,

y'both the plates l48 and S0 may be formed with apertures at their central portions and a bolt 51 may be passed therethrough and fastened with a nut 52 received at Va recess within the lower plate 48, see FIG. 5. The plate 50 is free to pivot about the shank of thebolt 51 while the plate 4S is restrained from such rotational movement jby reason of the rigid connection to the tubes 47.

A pair of pins 53 are affixed to and project from the lower face of'the plate 50 through the arcuate slots 49 in the plate 48 and downwardly along the sides 22S of `the railhead. `Normally the pins 53 are spaced lfrom the "sides ot the railhead as illustrated. The tubes 47, plates 48 and 50, and the center bolt 51 constitute a slide block Aunit which is slidable along the rods 42 of the frame. VAn upwardly extending bracket 54 is welded or otherwise aiiixed at one end to the end Vplate 44, as by the )velds 54W. At its opposite end the bracket is welded 'or otherwise suitably attached to a spacer cylinder S5. The spacer cylinder 55 encircles a bar 56 which extends between and is mounted within the side members of the A fitting 577 is'mounted adjacent one end of the spacer cylinder S5. The fitting S7 includes an outwardly projecting lug portion 58 Yhaving a central aperture therein,

see FIG. 4. VA pneumatic power cylinder 61 is incorporated in the propelling device 41 and has a pair of iianges 62 formed integral at one end for'receiving the lug 58 therebetween. The ianges 62 also contain central apere tures and a pin 63 is passed through the apertures in the iianges 62 and the lug 58 to attach the pneumatic cylinder 61 to the spacer sleeve 55. 'A pair of cotterkeys 64 are passed through end portions of the pin to retain the pin 63 within the apertures in the lug and the flanges 62.

VAt the lower end of the cylinder 61 a piston rod 65 extends from the cylinder and a fitting 66 is threaded onto the outermost extremity of the piston rod. The fitting 66 is provided with a ball element for a ball joint connection. The innerV ball encircles a pin 67 which projects from the upper surface of the plate S0. The two members 66 and 67 thus provide a ball joint universal connection 68 between the piston rod 65 and the upper plate 5t) of the slidable carriage. The universal connection is eccentric to the central pivot S1 so vthat actuation of the piston rod outwardly of the piston 61 causes rotation of the plate 50 about the pivot 51.

Referring again to FIG. l, air lines 69 and 71` connect opposite ends of the cylinder 61 through a control valve, which is not illustrated,l to the air reservoir tank 18.

In the operation of therpropelling device 41, after a spike 31 has been set in the tie 34, the machine 11 is ready for advancement along the railway to set the next spike. Preferably, release of the main control valve by the operator upon completion of' the spike setting operation'is operative to supply compressed air from the air reservoir 1S through the hose 71 to the upper end of the cylinder 61. This causes the piston rod 65 to move outwardly of the cylinder 61.V Such movement of the rod 65 produces a small amount of rotational movement of the upper plate 50 around the pivot bolt 51. VAs viewed in FIG. 3, this is a counterclockwise rotational movement. The pins 53 which project from the under surface of the plate 50 move along arcuate paths within the slots 49 until engagement of the pins with the sides of the railhead 22S is obtained. The force exerted by the piston rod 65 through the swivel connection 68 causes the pins 53 to be rotated within the slots 49 about the pivot S1 and into tight engagement with the sides 22S of the railhead so that a large force normal to the sides 22S is exerted between the railhead and the pins to prevent any relative movement therebetween by reasons of the large Vfrictional force thereby obtained.

Continued movement of the piston 65 outwardly of Y the cylinder 61 then causes a thrust to be developed on the bar 56 and through the frame 13 to initiate movement of the-carriage i the machine 11 forwardly along the railway in the direction indicated by the arrows A in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such forward movement slides the frame of the propelling device 41 within Vthe mounting tubes 47 of the slide block unit.

During the actuation of the device 41, the slide block unit and the frame of the propelling device 41 may assume the relative positions illustrated by the phantom outline of the slide block assembly in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the position illustrated by the phantom outline it should Ybe noted that the upper plate 50 has been rotated to a position wherein the pins 53- grip the sides of the railhead 22. Thus, while the propelling device 41 is primarily intended only to initiate the movement of the vehicle 11 along `the railway, the continued movement to the next operating position being provided by the operator pushing on Ahar 3S, it is apparent that by suitable selection of the length of the rods 42 and the throw of the piston 61V that the propelling device could provide the Vcomplete movement from one spike to the next spike. 1

In either event, the slide block is preferably returned to the position indicated bythe solid lines in FIG. 3 by operation of the main control valve. Thus, actuation of the main control valve may directly apply the vehicle brakes, sequentially erect and set the spike, in the automatic manner described hereinabove, and also supply air through the line 69 to theY lower end of the cylinder 61 `to cause the piston rod 65 to retract back Within the Vhead and then Slides the tubes 47 and the slide block forwardly along the rods 42 and back to the position illustrated by solid lines in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The propelling device of this invention provides some significant advantages, particularly in combination with the type of trackwork machine as illustrated. The disposition ofthe pins 53 about the central pivot 51 provides balanced gripping forces which are substantially wholly contained Within the rotatable plate. The inverted U- shaped recesses in the end plates in the particular ernbodiment illustrated enable the slide block assembly to be positioned very close to the head of the rail so that only relatively short gripping pins are required. This in turn provides a rigid assembly with consequent better gripping action.

The manner of mounting the propelling device on the spacer cylinder, which in turn is rotatably received on a rod attached to the carriage of the trackwork machine provides a convenient unitary assembly with the track- Work vehicle. The rotatable attachment of the propelling device to the carriage permitsthe entire propelling device to be rotated upwardly and out of the way in those instances in which the propelling device is not needed. For instance, in transporting the machine from one road bed to another, it is` desirable that the carriage have a minimum of projecting portions which might make such movement diicult. In such a case it is a simple matter to rotate the entire propelling device upwardly about the mounting rod so that the propelling device is in etect folded up against the rear portion of the machine.

Very little modification of the trackwork machine'll is` required to install the propelling device and the propelling device utilizes a source of power, the compressor, which is already available on the machine.

When relatively small movements are required along the railhead, the operation of the propelling device can be coordinated with the actuation of the machine brakes to provide a completely powered advancement of the vehicle. Thus, in the spike setting operation as illustrated, the propelling device and the brakes may be coordinately controlled so that the propelling device moves the machine from one spike to the next preceding spike, and the machine brakes stop the machine in the exact position desired.

Furthermore the propelling device is economically constructed, and, by reason of its relatively simple construction, is resistant to mechanical failures.

While the propellingdevice of this invention has been illustrated and described as being pneumatically actuated it is apparent that the propelling device can be actuated by other means. For example, the propelling device could as well be hydraulically actuated.

Hence, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desirek to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A propelling device for moving a vehicle along a railway, comprising: a frame including a pair of parallel spaced elongated guide members; means for mountling said frame on a railroad vehicle with said guide members extending in parallel spaced relation to the opposite sides of one rail of the railway; a slide plate mounted on said Vguide members for longitudinal sliding movement along said guide members, said slide plate having a pair of guide slots therein at opposite sides of the rail and inclined at corresponding angles to the rail; a pivot plate, pivotally mounted on said slide plate; a pair of drive pins alixed to said second plate and projectsponding to the common center of radius of saidA guide f slots; 'a pair of drive pins axed to said pivot plate and 6 ing through said guide slots in said slide plate; an actuating means, including an ractuating cylinder eccentricaliy pivotally connected at one end to said pivot plate and means for mounting the other end of said actuating cylinder on said vehicle, for pivoting said pivot plate relative to said slide plate to drive said drive pins along said guide slots into gripping engagement with the sides of the rail and for impelling the vehicle along the railway away from the point of engagement of the drive pins with the rail.

2. A propelling device for moving a vehicle along a railway, comprising: a frame including a pair of parallel spaced elongated guide members; means for mounting said frame on a railroad vehiclewith said guide members extending in parallel spaced relation to the opposite Asides of lone rail of the railway; a slide plate mounted on said guide members for longitudinal sliding movement along said guide members, said slide plate having a pair of guide slots therein, at opposite sides of the rail, said guide slots being arcuate in conliguration with a common center of radius approximately on the centerline of the rail; a pivot plate, pivotally mounted on said first plate, the pivotal axis of said pivot plate correprojecting through said guide slots in said slide plate; an actuating means, including an actuating :cylinder eccentrically pivotally connected at one end to -said pivot plate and means for mounting theother end of said actuating cylinder on said vehicle, for pivoting said pivot plate relative to said slide plate to drive said drive pins along said guide slots into gripping engagement with the sides'of the rail and for impelling the vehicle along the railway away fromrthe point of engagement of the drive pins with the rail.

3. A propelling device for moving a vehicle along a railway, comprising: a frame including a pair of end plates joined by a pair of parallel spaced elongated guide rods; means, atlixed to one of said end plates, for pivotally mounting said frame on a railroad vehicle for movement between an elevated position and a Working position in which said guide rods extend in parallel spaced relation to the opposite sides of one rail of thevr on said slide members,l for longitudinal sliding movement along said guide rods, said slide plate having a pair of concentric arcuate guide slots therein at opposite sides of the rail;` a pivot plate, pivotally mounted in face abutting relationship on said slide plate with the pivotal axis thereof corresponding with lthe common radial center of said guide slots; a pair of drive pins affixed to said pivot plate and projecting through said guide slots in said slide plate; an actuating means, including a doubleacting actuating cylinder eccentrically pivotally connected at one end to said pivot plate and means for mounting the other end of said actuating cylinder on said vehicle, -for pivoting said pivot plate in one direction relative to said slide plate to drive said drive pins along said guide slots into gripping engagement with the sides of the rail and to irnpel the vehicle along the railway away from the point of engagement of the-drive pins with the rail, and for pivoting said pivot plate in the opposite direction to release the drive pins from engagement with the rail.

References Cited in the le of4 this patent l UNITED STATES PATENTS VFrance Sept. 2,9', 1958 

